21 Books: Catching Up with Reviews

Here's what I've read since my last check-in. All books were received for review or for a freelance assignment unless otherwise indicated. Where you see "AFM," please check out my full audiobook review on the AudioFile Magazine website. Also note that I've given fuller treatment to some of these titles over on Goodreads.

• Age of Empyre by Michael J. Sullivan (Grim Oak Press, June 2020): This is the final installment of the Legends of the First Empire series. If you like great characters, terrific world building, and good action in your epic fantasies, then you need to read everything Sullivan has written. Better yet, listen to the audiobooks brilliantly read by Tim Gerard Reynolds. (personal collection)
• Pile of Bones by Michael J. Sullivan (Audible Studios, Jan. 2020): This short story takes place in the same universe as the Legends of the First Empire series. If you're a fan, you need to listen to this, read by Tim Gerard Reynolds. (personal collection)
• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, May 2020): This is a prequel to the Hunger Games series. I enjoyed seeing something of the background to the games and to Snow. AFM

• The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner (St. Martin's Press, May 2020): Set in post-World War II England, a group of very different and differently broken people come together to help preserve Jane Austen's cottage and legacy in Chawton. Deserves the buzz; you don't have to be familiar with Austen to like this book.
• Red Sky over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman (Mira, June 9): This book starts just a day before the attack on Pearl Harbor and is set on the Big Island of Hawaii. It's both a story of young woman trying to understand her late father as well as a tale of doing the right thing and protecting those in your care. It also has some romance.
• Unreconciled by W. Michael Gear (Daw, May 2020): This is the fourth in the Donovan series set on a remote planet in the distant future. I love so much about these books, including the characters and the world building. Even more, though, I like the way Gear explores several issues connected to colonization of a "new" world and the connections between the colonizers and their motherland. As always for this series, I part read and part listen. Alyssa Bresnahan does a great job with the narration.

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Riverhead, June 2): An excellent novel that tells the story of teenage very light-skinned Black twins who run away from their small Louisiana town to NOLA. From there they lose track of each other as one disappears again, this time to marry a white man and pass into a new world of the rich and comfortable; the other marries an abusive man, whom she leaves to return to her childhood home. The story follows them and their daughters and focuses on the consequences of each woman's decisions. #OwnVoices AFM
• The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (Forever, June 9): A fun rom-com featuring three Black women who meet when they realize they've all been two-timed by the same guy. Humor and romance mixed with feminist issues. #OwnVoices AFM
• What I'm Looking For by Karen Grey (Home Cooked Books, June 2020): Another fun rom-com, this one set in Boston in the 1980s. A female financial analyst who is trying to make it in a man's world meets a Shakespeare actor who is unsure about his ambitions. Good period details. Well-done audiobook (see Goodreads for more).

• The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson (Ecco, May 2020): A beautiful book that is partly about the natural life of the eel and partly a moving tribute to the author's father. I was surprised and fascinated by what I learned about the eel and loved hearing the stories of Svensson's father. Give this book in translation a try. AFM
• Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev (William Morrow, May 2020): An enjoyable take on Austen's classic novel featuring a chef, a soccer star, and a reality cooking show. #OwnVoices AFM
• Mirgations by Charlotte McConaghy (Flatiron, Aug. 2020): I wrote about this on Instagram and Goodreads. Set in the not too distant future, this book explores relationships, climate change, and the Arctic tern. One of my favorites of the year. Narrator Barrie Kreinik tapped into the emotional core of the story.

• Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton (Grand Central, 2012): The 26th in a fun, light mystery series featuring a village copper who solves all the cases in a small Highland town. Love the characters, the Scottish setting, and the mysteries. Narrator Graeme Malcolm is a pleasure to listen to. (personal collection)
• The Bothers York by Thomas Penn (Simon & Schuster, June 2020): My favorite way to learn history is to combine listening with reading, which is what I did here. Penn makes the complexities of the War of the Roses accessible, and I'm beginning to get a handle on this period of British history. Roy McMillan held my attention with his expression and sense of pacing, though he could have more clearly distinguished direct quotations from the narrative.
• The Wedding Thief by Mary Simses (Back Bay Books, July 2020): A rom-com on the surface with some deeper themes of family, sisters, forgiveness, and understanding. Some of the characters went a little too far in their antics for my tastes, but all in all fine summer read.

• Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing (Berkley, May 2020): Good start to a new cozy mystery series. I liked the details of the Boulder, Colorado, setting as well as the introduction to the characters and premise of the series. The mystery was well presented with good red herrings. AFM
• The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni (William Morrow, April 2020): I read this earlier in the year and forgot to write about it. A Gothic story of a young woman who inherits land and a castle in the Italian Alps from a relative she never knew she had. A dream come true? Not necessarily. Can't say more without spoiling it, but this is one of my favorites of the year.
• When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald (Gallery, Jan. 2020): This is by far my favorite book of the the year right now.  A super coming-of-age story about a young woman who has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Narrator Phoebe Strole's performance is amazing. (See Instagram and Goodreads for details.)

• Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton (Grand Central, 2012): The 27th Hamish Macbeth mystery gave me all I expect from this series. Graeme Malcolm narrated. (personal collection)
• The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton (Berkley, June 2020): Three women who need change cross paths during the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, which caused much damage and many deaths in the Florida Keys. Loved the period details and was fooled by a couple of twists. AFM
• The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls by Ursula Hegi (Flatiron, Aug. 2020): I had mixed feelings about this book about three women and their children, set in the late nineteenth century in Germany along the shores of the North Sea. Maybe a little too unreal for me? AFM

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Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club: May Selections

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

This month's picks are perfect for the end of the school year. Your young readers are looking forward to summer vacation and to having fun. Both books are light, easy reads with plenty of magic, lots of laughs, and loveable characters.

Okay, I'm just going to come out and say it: Something magical happened when authors Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater got together to write Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures. After nine-year-old Pip has a little misadventure with a unicorn on school career day, her parents arrange for her to spend the summer with Aunt Emma, who runs a veterinarian clinic for magical creatures. Pip may sometimes feel tongue-tied around people, but she has no trouble talking to the animals. And they talk back.

Of course, pretty much no one believes her when she says she understands the many languages of magical creatures, but her new friend, Tomas, is supportive nonetheless. All seems to be going smoothly until tiny Fuzzles start invading the town and spontaneously bursting into flame. Can Pip and Tomas figure out what's causing the infestation and the fires before the animal authorities take drastic (and permanent) action?

Pip is such a great character, it's easy to relate to her. She keeps notes on her observations of (and conversations with) all the magical creatures she meets in her aunt's clinic. She's a good kid, but can get herself into trouble when she lets her curiosity get the best of her. Tomas has a million allergies, and I love the way he is always prepared for a sneezing attack. I also love the illustrations of the creatures, complete with Pip's annotations of her personal encounters of each species.

Book clubs will likely want to talk about friendship, the importance of animals in their lives, and maybe even living with allergies. The discussion topics on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site include questions about learning and about being different. The suggested recipe is for grilled pineapple, which is a favorite food of one of the creatures Pip befriends and is an easy summer treat.

This isn't the first time one of Sarah Mlynowski's fractured fairy tale books has been picked for the Scholastic book club, and for good reason. These books about Abby and her little brother, Jonah, take us on fun adventures, and I'm glad to see that the series is going strong. In Whatever After: Beauty Queen, the kids find themselves inside the tale of Beauty and the Beast.

The basic premise is that Abby and Jonah discover a magic mirror in their basement. If they knock three times at the stroke of midnight, they are transported into the world of fairy tales. The only problem is that sometimes the stories don't go quite the way they're supposed to. In this adventure, Beauty and the Beast meet and, well, don't fall in love. Oops. What can Abby and Jonah do to save the well-known story and still get home before their parents wake them up for school?

One thing I like about these books is that we get to see Abby both in fairy tale land and in real life. The lessons she learns during her trips through the magic mirror often help her understand issues she might be struggling with at home. In this case, she learns that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and that jealousy isn't a pretty thing.

Your young readers will find a lot to talk about, such as jealousy, friendship, and finding the beauty of people beneath the surface. Don't forget to download the reading guide on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site, which includes several questions about different kinds of relationships. The Beast would love the suggested cheesecake recipe and so will you and your kids. 

Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures: Scholastic Press, 2015; ISBN-13: 9780545709262
Whatever After: Beauty Queen: Scholastic Press, 2015; ISBN-13: 9780545746540
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Today's Read: The Finisher by David Baldacci

What if you saw something in the middle of the night that made you question everything you thought was true about your world? Vega Jane has led a conventional life in the village of Wormwood, but when she witnesses a friend do the seemingly impossible, she begins to suspect that her community is being held together by a pack of lies.

I was dozing when I heard the scream. It pierced my head like a morta round, doing terribly befuddling things to my mind, as loud and terrifying as though it were all happening right there and then.

After the sound came the vision: the blue, the color blue. It was in a mist like a cloud on the ground. It enveloped my mind, pushing out all other thoughts, all memories. When it finally disappeared, my befuddlement cleared as well. Yet I always believed there was something of great importance that had simply not come back to me.

—The Finisher by David Baldacci (Scholastic Press, 2014, p. 1)

Quick Facts

• Setting: village of Wormwood; an isolated community
• Circumstances: When Vega Jane starts questioning the rules and traditions of her village, she discovers surprising things about herself, her family, and her community leaders. Just how far will she go to find truth and freedom?
• Characters: Vega Jane, a fourteen-year-old living on her own; John, Vega's younger brother; Daniel Delphia, Vega's friend; Vega's co-workers; community leaders; neighbors
• Genre: fantasy; young adult with adult appeal
• Themes: family, finding truth, freedom, power, independence, good vs. evil
• General thoughts: I was hooked on this fantasy almost from the first page. Vega's world was familiar enough that I could easily relate (she worried about her little brother, tried to be a good friend, cared for her sick parents) but different enough that I was transported to a new realm. The magical elements drove the plot rather than being the point of the story. The characters were complex and well developed, and it wasn't always easy to tell friend from foe. There was good action, an intriguing mystery, and a satisfying end (although there will be more books in this series).
• Note on the title: Vega works in a factory that makes various items (useful and ornamental). She applies the decorative finishes to these objects and is highly skilled at her job.
• Recommendations: You'll like The Finisher if you like fantasy, strong female leads, good action, deep history, and secrets to puzzle out. There is a dystopian feel to Vega's world, which makes us want to learn more about Wormwood's past.
• Miscellaneous: Although Baldacci is known for his adult spy thrillers, The Finisher is not his first book for younger readers. It is, however, his first fantasy, and he promises several more titles in the series. I had the opportunity to interview David Baldacci (click on the link), and he noted that this book took years to write and research.

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Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club Picks for December

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

On the surface, the book picks this month seem like they couldn't be more different, but in fact they share similar themes. For example, the protagonist of each book loves to draw and must face a life-changing event.

Jeffrey Brown's Star Wars: Jedi Academy is a black-and-white graphic novel that tells the story of a cartoon-writing, middle-school boy named Roan who wants nothing more than to follow his father and older brother by being accepted into the Pilot Academy and learning to fly space ships. When he is denied admission to the school and is accepted instead into the Jedi Academy, Roan isn't at all happy.

By the end of the school year, however, things start to turn around. Roan makes friends, figures out how to tap into the Force, and even meets a cute girl. To his surprise, he's not sure he wants to leave the Jedi Academy, even for summer vacation.

Brown mixes classic graphic novel panels with scrapbook pages, letters, journal entries, and report cards, making Jedi Academy a lot of fun to read. At the end of the book, he includes some tips for creating your own journal--no artistic talent required.

Book clubs will likely want to talk about finding one's own path in life, discovering new talents and interests, and making new friends. If your young readers are familiar with the Star Wars story, then they'll be laughing about Roan's descriptions of Yoda, Wookiees, and his teachers at the academy. The discussion topics on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site include questions about family and journaling. The suggested recipe is for edible light sabers and is so easy to do that book club members could make their own.

Dash, by Kirby Larson, about a girl and her dog, is loosely based on a true story. In the weeks after Pearl Harbor, eleven-year-old Mitsi Kashino's sheltered, happy life is turned upside down. Despite begin a second-generation Japanese-American, Mitsi is suddenly the target of taunting and shunning from the very people she has known all her life. Even her best friends no longer talk to her.

It seems that the only friend she has left is her beloved dog, Dash. But when her family is ordered to relocate to an incarceration camp, Mitsi must leave Dash behind with a friendly neighbor. Broken-hearted at losing her pet and disturbed by the changes she notices in her family, Mitsi starts to turn inward. Only the hope of being reunited with her dog seems to keep her going. After meeting another girl whose circumstances are even worse than her own, Mitsi eventually uses her drawing skills to reach out to help others and thereby find her own inner strength.

Book clubs will find quite a lot to talk about after reading this beautifully written, emotional story. Some young readers may be curious about the real-life Mitsi, and all will sympathize with how it feels to lose a pet. Other discussions will touch on prejudices and what it means to be an American as well as on family and friendship. Don't forget to download the reading guide on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested cookie recipe uses panko, a Japanese-style breadcrumb; I bet Mitsi wishes she could get some home-baked goodies at the camp commissary. 

Star Wars: Jedi Academy: Scholastic, 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545505178
Dash: Scholoastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545416351
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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October Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

This month, book clubs will have a hard time deciding between an exciting new fantasy that takes place in the modern world or an intriguing mystery set in the 1950s.

Holly Black and Cassandra Clare have teamed up for a new fantasy series. Book 1, The Iron Trial, sets up the premise, introduces us to a diverse group of characters, and gives us plenty of action. On the surface, Callum Hunt is an ordinary kid who lives with his father near Asheville, North Carolina. Look more carefully, and you'll see that he has a bum leg, but what you won't know is that he's been gifted with magic.

At twelve years old, Call's been tapped to take a test to see if he will be picked for the Magisterium, a mysterious school of elemental magic hidden in the Virgina mountains. All he knows about that realm is what his father, a Magisterium graduate, has told him: magic is evil and it killed his mother. So the boy's mission is simple; he must either fail the entrance exam or find a way to get kicked out of the academy. But once Call enters the caves of the Magisterium and discovers his talents, he's not so sure he wants to leave.

The Iron Trial is an intriguing fantasy that bears only some similarities to the beloved Harry Potter series. Yes, there is a school of magic, a great enemy, a young hero, and a mixed group of students, but Black and Clare have breathed new life in to the middle grade fantasy genre. Older readers may guess at the true nature of some of the students and teachers, but the authors have woven in some unexpected twists and surprises. Who, exactly, is evil and can anyone change his or her destiny?

The strengths of The Iron Trial lie in the characters. Friendships develop slowly and naturally, and each preteen has a distinct personality. Some have secrets, some are ambitious, and almost all of them grow and change from their experiences at the school. The plot moves along quickly, and it's pretty difficult to put the book down. The story ends on a satisfying note but with enough unanswered questions that you'll be sure to read the next installment in the Magisterium series.

The most obvious topics for discussion involve friendship, family, and bullying. But other book club groups might want to talk about the ideas of failing on purpose and the importance of keeping your mind open to try new experiences. More great questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for a fizzy lemonade, which is the favorite drink of one of the students. As a bonus, be sure to check out the Iron Trial website, where you can find games, quizzes, and other activities related to the book.

Sharon G. Flake's Unstoppable Octobia May is set in the early 1950s. Ten-year-old Octobia is sent up north to live with her aunt because her parents want her to have better opportunities. The girl with the insatiable curiosity gets to know her neighborhood well and befriends all the elderly people in her aunt's boarding house. Because of a congenital heart condition, Octobia is supposed to take it easy, but her love of both making up stories and exploring are hard to suppress.

When a war veteran moves into the house, Octobia begins to think he's a vampire because he never comes out of his room during the day. She channels her inner Nancy Drew and learns some disturbing things about Mr. Davenport. Unfortunately, no one believes her . . . until the man himself goes a step too far. Will it be too late for Octobia May to save her friends and aunt from death or jail? Who will believe the outspoken little girl?

It's no wonder that Flake is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner. Octobia is full of spunk and possibilities, despite her medical condition, and there's a lot to admire about her. At the same time, however, her curiosity gets her in trouble, and some of the adults think she a little too privileged. Besides the good characters, Flake adds wonderful and provocative period details: segregated troops in World War II, the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case, and other issues that would be become important in the civil rights movement over the following years.

Book club discussions will inevitably revolve around race issues--not just blatant prejudices against blacks but also the idea of passing for white, antisemitism, and women's rights. Other topics include family and friendship, honesty and respecting privacy, and living with a disease. Don't forget to see the great questions on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for a strawberry tart, which will remind young readers of what a good cook Octobia's aunt is.

The Iron Trial: Scholastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545522250
Unstoppable Octobia May: Scholoastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545609609
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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September Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

This month, book clubs can pick either a memoir about sisters or a story of how friends and family can be found in unlikely places.

The first selection, Raina Telgemeier's Sisters, is based on the author's memories of her early childhood. The summer before high school, Raina is about to face one of the most dreaded events in any young teen's life: a family road trip. Yes, a full week locked in an un-air-conditioned van with her little sister, Amara. What could be worse?

Both funny and thoughtful, this graphic novel paints a realistic picture of sibling relationships and the way it feels to be on the verge of young adulthood. Readers of all ages will recognize Raina's experiences at her family reunion and her love-hate moments with Amara.

Telgemeier's artwork perfectly complements her storytelling, augmenting the humor as easily as the more touching scenes. The drawings clearly show just how different (and yet the same) Raina and Amara are. The colorful panels make Sister a joy to read.

Book club members will likely have their own stories to share of a family trip or their feelings about their sisters and brothers. Other topics of discussion include family dynamics, life with pets, and the consequences of not paying attention to the people around you. More great questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for a homemade chocolate bar, which you might want to share with your family the next time you're trapped in a car with them.

In Dianna Doristi Winget's A Million Ways Home, 12-year-old Poppy Parker's life is turned upside down when her only relative and guardian, Grandma Beth, has a stroke and is hospitalized. With nowhere else to go, Poppy is put into a children's shelter while the doctors determine the chances of Beth's recovery. After sneaking out of the home to visit her grandmother, Poppy is horrified to witness to a robbery-murder.

Taken under police protection by a kindly detective, Poppy is worried about her grandmother and afraid that the criminal will track her down. To help the girl cope, the detective suggests that Poppy get involved with retraining an aggressive K-9 German shepherd. Although she makes friends and loves working with the dog, all Poppy really wants is to be reunited with her grandmother. What will happen if Beth never recovers?

Despite some sad and scary scenes, this realistic contemporary novel remains age appropriate. Young readers will find it easy to relate to Poppy's ups and downs, as the girl struggles to accept and understand everything that happens to her.

Book club discussions will revolve around the importance of listening to rules that pertain to personal safety and the many forms of families. In addition,  animal lovers might want to talk about Poppy's work with the police dog. Don't forget to see the great questions on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for Twinkie shortcake, which would appeal to one of Poppy's new friends.

Sisters: Scholastic / Graphix, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545540599
A Million Ways Home: Scholoastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545667067
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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August Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

Your young readers will have a hard time picking between the two winning books for this month's book club. One is adventure and mystery and one is tough historical fiction. Both, however, are excellent.

Jude Watson is best known for her 39 Clues series, but her new book, Loot: How to Steal a Fortune, is destined to win her a whole new group of avid fans. March McQuin, just a few weeks shy of his thirteenth birthday, is visiting Amsterdam with his dad. But don't be misled, this is no ordinary father-son team; they are, in fact, notorious jewel thieves. Well, March is still in training.

When his father's latest heist goes terribly wrong, March is there to witness his father's fall from a tall building. Left with some cryptic last words, a list of random words, a deck of cards, and a book, March tries to figure out what he should do next. As he begins to solve the clues his father left him, with the help of three other kids, he learns some truths about himself and his family.

Loot is one rollicking adventure, with a cast of four young criminal minds pitted against some not-so-trust-worthy adults. There are magical moonstones to be found, locks to be picked, computers to be hacked, and millions upon millions of dollars to be made. The clues are fun to work out, and the action is almost nonstop. Twisty, funny, and sometimes scary, the novel is sure to grab the attention of both boy and girls.

Book clubs will have a lot to discuss. The main themes are family and trust, but kids will also want to talk about having adventures and what it might be like to try to live on their own. There's also the issue of stealing, which in this book is simply the McQuin family business. Other great questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for homemade ice pops which has particular meaning to March and one of the other kids in the gang.

Many reviewers have heaped praise on Rodman Philbrick's Zane and the Hurricane, which is a story about a boy whose first visit to relatives in New Orleans is disrupted by Katrina. Zane Dupree, just twelve years old, travels from his native New Hampshire to meet his great-grandmother and to get to know her city. When the storm hits, his dog escapes and Zane goes running after him. The two survive the storm but risk getting trapped as the waters begin to rise.

Fortunately, boy and dog are saved by an old man and the little girl in his care. As the group paddles through the flood water to safety, they see things that Zane will never forget: snakes, destroyed houses, and even dead bodies. This journey is not easy, and Philbrick doesn't hide the dark side of Katrina or New Orleans.

Young readers will not only learn about the impact of the storm on the city but will also get some insight into how our country reacts to natural disasters. Clubs will want to discuss the differences between heroes and villains; race, class, and social divisions in the city; and Zane's New England perspective on what he learns about the South. More discussion questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for king cakes, which are a special New Orleans treat associated with Mardi Gras.

Loot: Scholastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545468022
Zane and the Hurricane: Blue Sky Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545342384
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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June Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

OK,  I know it's already July (though I'm in denial!), but it's not too late to read the June book club selections. All the materials on the Scholastic site are still available; just click on the "archive" button on the Mother-Daughter Book Club page.

This month the selections are very different from each other, although neither book takes place in the real world. Let's take a look.

Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams's Cinderella Stays Late is the first in the very cute Grimmtastic Girls series. These books take a modern look at traditional fairy tales and are set in the Grimm Academy, a school that is full of magical surprises.

When her dad remarries, Cinda is enrolled in a new school, and her popular stepsisters are tasked with showing her the ropes. The Steps, however, are jealous of their new sister and try to steer her wrong at every chance. Fortunately, Cinda has made new friends--Red, Snow, and Rapunzel--and has even caught the attention of another new student, who just happens to be a prince. What will Cinda do when she's invited to the school dance but doesn't have a thing to wear?

Middle grade girls will love this fun story of friendship and magic. Although her stepsisters are definitely mean girls, Cinda learns that happiness is found by being true to oneself and through the power of friendship. I love the idea that Cinda is very athletic and actually prefers playing ball to going to a ball. The message that girls can like pretty dresses but still be smart and strong shines in this easy-to-read fairy tale retelling.

The discussion questions on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site pick up on the themes of family, friendship, and fantasy. The suggested recipe is for chocolate pumpkin brownies, which will remind the book club members of Peter Pumpkin Eater, whose pumpkin plays a part in this story.

Chris D'Lacey's A Dark Inheritance is also the first in a new series. This one stars young Michael Malone, who is coping with the fact that his father, a traveling salesman, disappeared without a trace a few years earlier. The boy had no idea of his dad's fate, until the day he saved a runaway dog from falling off a cliff. From that moment on, Michael learns that nothing is what it seems: time is mutable, ghosts exist, and he may possess a talent for solving mysteries or even finding his father.

This action-packed story is part paranormal and part thriller and follows Michael's adventures after he's recruited by a secret organization that looks into odd shifts in time and history. The twisty plot and quirky characters make for an exciting tale, as the teen makes new friends (mostly girls!), escapes from dangerous enemies, and hunts for his father, all while trying to pretend he's a normal kid.

Book club members will likely talk about Michael's newfound powers and the tough, smart girls who become his allies (or are they?). They'll also want to talk about the ending (no spoilers here!) and what they think will happen in the next book. The questions on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site encourage readers to think about how Michael's involvement with the secret group affect his relationships with his mother and his classmates. The recipe is for a dragon fruit shake, which is appropriate because a couple of the characters really love dragons.

Cinderella Stays Late: Scholastic Inc., 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545519830
A Dark Inheritance: Scholastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545608763
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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March Selections for the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

Even though the March selections are almost polar opposites, I enjoyed them both. Let's take a look.

Natalie Lloyd's A Snicker of Magic tells the story of Felicity Juniper Pickle, who has just moved to Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, where her mom grew up. According to local legend, the town used to be hidden from the world because everyone who lived there had a little magic running in their veins. But the magic left almost a hundred years ago, when two brothers quarreled, setting off a curse.

On the first day of sixth grade in her new school, Felicity meets an unusual boy who not only befriends her but trusts her with some of the town's secrets. The more Felicity learns, the more she wants to respark the lost magic, hoping her artistic mother will overcome her wanderlust and set down roots Midnight Gulch.

Part of the charm of A Snicker of Magic is Felicity's special relationship with words. She is, in fact, a collector of words: real words, words that should be real, and words that can be split to make more. Through words, she soothes her sister's fears and even helps her friends.

I imagine that young readers will want to talk about family, magic, sisters, shyness, and the meaning of home. Adults might want to steer the discussion around to the power (magic?) of words, the concept of community, and strength of memory. Other great questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for blackberry ice cream, which plays a very special role in Felicity's story.

In The Dumbest Idea Ever!, author Jimmy Gownley recalls, in graphic novel form, the defining years of his youth in a coal-mining town in eastern Pennsylvania. In junior high, Jimmy was not only the top student in his small Catholic school but also a star basketball player. He studied hard and had a group of good friends. But he also had a love of graphic novels and comics.

When chickenpox and then pneumonia kept him out of school for over a month, Jimmy went through a transition. He became obsessed with writing and drawing his own graphic novel and began to lose interest in his schoolwork. But when he finally fiinished a short book, his best friend told him the story was no good.

Jimmy was discouraged, but his friend's dumb idea--"Why don't you write a comic book about us?"--began to take root, and that's just what young Jimmy did. Along the way, however, the thirteen-year-old learned a few lessons, especially about family, friendship, popularity, and hard work.

Adults might want to tell their young readers that Jimmy's story is autobiographical and that Gownley is now an award-winning, best-selling graphic novelist. This might prompt them to think about what they see in their own futures. Discussion topics include the downside of fame, the importance of being able to freely express your ideas, and the way that fiction can tell us something about life and ourselves. More discussion questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for soft pretzels, a nod to a life-changing trip Jimmy and his friend Ellen make to New York City.

A Snicker of Magic: Scholastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 978054555270
The Dumbest Idea Ever!: Scholastic, Graphix, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545453462
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club Picks for February

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

One way to nurture a love of reading in children is to introduce them to great characters whom they can meet again and again throughout a series. This month's Scholastic book club selections are both first installments in new series. Although they will likely appeal to very different kinds of readers, both books hold the promise of engrossing reading ahead.

Matthew J. Kirby's The Quantum League: Spell Robbers combines elements of science fiction and fantasy and ends up with an exciting action-packed modern-day thriller. Twelve-year-old Ben is used to moving because his mother changes jobs or schools with an alarming frequency. She's just started a new graduate school program in a new town and has enrolled Ben into an elite after-school science club.

The club as it turns out is really a way to hone the talents of kids who have the ability to control the elements through a process called actuation, which is just the scientific term for what most of us regular folks would call magic.

Spell Robbers follows Ben as he learns about his hidden talents and is swept up in a conflict among at least three groups (government, rouge, and bad) who want to control the powers for their own purposes. Ben, a smart and observant kid who has been recruited by the government, quickly begins to wonder whom he should trust. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep young readers invested in the story.

Besides the thoughtful questions you can find on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site, groups will likely want to talk about friendship, the conflict of helping your country versus helping your family, and the nature of power and talent and how they can be used for good or evil. The suggested recipe is for some fun-shaped sugar cookies that will remind young readers of Ben's special talents.

Horses of the Dawn: The Escape, by Kathryn Lasky, takes readers back to the sixteenth-century when Spanish conquistadors reintroduced the horse to the Western Hemisphere. The story is told from the viewpoint of the horses, who have unique and consistent personalities and will win the hearts of most young girls.

Although the story involves talking horses, this in no lighthearted fantasy. Middle grade readers will be exposed to some difficult themes, including the death of one of the horse's mothers. Nevertheless, the bravery, faith, and leadership of Estrella, the young filly who guides the herd to freedom is inspiring.

Book clubs will have a lot to talk about after reading The Escape, such as the meaning of freedom, animal rights, family, bravery, and following one's dream. Ambitious clubs might be interested in following up on the author's note at the end of the book, which talks about the history behind the story.

More discussion questions can be found on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site. The suggested recipe is for strawberries and sweetgrass (lemon grass), which has particular meaning to Estrella and her fellow horses.

This post will be linked to Kid Konnection, hosted by Julie at Booking Mama.

The Quantum League: Spell Robbers: Scholastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545502269
Horses of the Dawn: The Escape: Scholastic Press, 2014; ISBN-13: 9780545397162
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Today's Read & Giveaway: The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

What if you saw your father carry a body out of the woods? Would you believe he was innocent of murdering your classmate? What if he were suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome and had blackouts? Would you still fight for his innocence? That's what Emily Shepherd is up against.

I've seen something.

It's something far down the rock face, wedged between the jagged boulders. I'm trying to look for it again. But I'm scrambling, falling, grabbing at smooth stone. And I'm too late—I'm going over, over the edge of the Leap.

—The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher (Scholastic / Chicken House, 2013, p. 294)

Quick Facts

• Setting: contemporary; Darkwood; a military town
• Circumstances: Who killed Ashlee Parker? Jon Shepherd who carried her body out of the woods; Damon Hilary, Ashlee's boyfriend who was also in the woods that night; or someone / something else?
• Characters: the Shepherd family: Emily (who believes her father is innocent), her mother (who has taken to drink), her father (who suffers from PTSS); Damon (who has secrets and suffers from memory loss), townsfolk, Emily and Damon's classmates.
• Genre / audience: thriller / mystery (action, dark, creepy); young adult audience
• Miscellaneous: the story is told alternately from Emily's and Damon's views; the plot is twisty, gripping, and complex

Want to Know More?

In the following short video, the Lucy Christopher reads the opening paragraphs of The Killing Woods:

The book trailer sets the spooky mood:

Visit the Killing Woods website, the This Is Teen Facebook page, or Lucy Christopher's Facebook page.

The Giveaway

Thanks to Scholastic, Inc. I'm thrilled to be able to offer two of my readers one copy each of Lucy Christopher's The Killing Woods. All you need to do to enter for a chance to win is to have a U.S. mailing address and fill out the following form. I'll pick the winners via random number generator on January 17. Once the winners have been verified, I'll delete all personal information from my computer. Good luck!



ISBN-13: 9780545461009
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Best Young Adult and Middle Grade Books from 2013

It's time for my best-of 2013 lists! I will post four this year. Thursday was all about audiobooks, Friday was adult books, Saturday was food and cookbooks, and today is middle grade and young adult. Enjoy!

A note on my selections: The books that appear on this list were read by me in 2013 but may have been published earlier. I picked the books that resonated with me, without regard for the target audience. Books are presented alphabetically by title; links lead to my reviews or thoughts.

• Mary E. Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox (Macmillan / Henry Holt), dystopian, young adult
• Rob Buyea's Because of Mr. Terupt (Random House / Delecorte), contemporary fiction, middle grade
• Samantha Shannon's The Bone Season (Bloomsbury USA), fantasy, dystopian, young adult

• Jennifer A. Nielsen's The False Prince (Scholastic), medieval, historical fiction, middle grade
• Catherynne M. Valente's The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Macmilian Childrens / Feiwel & Friends), fantasy, middle grade
• Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane (William Morrow), fantasy, for everyone, top children's book

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Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club Picks for November

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

One of the great benefits of reading is introducing us to people and places and situations that may be foreign to us. Both selections this month foster a greater understanding of people who are different from mainstream, middle class Americans. Young readers will have a lot to mull over as they compare and contrast their lives with those of the characters in November's novels.

It's hard to believe that it's been twenty years since Rodman Philbrick first published his multi-award-winning book Freak the Mighty about an eighth grader who makes an unlikely friend and gains a brain.

Max Kane has had it tough from the very start. Not only is he miles bigger than every other kid in his grade but his dad is in jail, his mother is dead, and he's been labeled learning disabled. When the Freak (aka Kevin) moves in a few doors down, Max realizes he may have met his match for outcasts. Kevin is the size of the three-year-old, though he's really twelve years old.

When Kevin's genius is added to Max's brawn, the two become Freak the Mighty: righters of wrong, saviors of damsels in distress, and fighters of dragons. Philbrick's moving story of friendship, overcoming bullies, finding acceptance, and dealing with heartbreak will bring tears to your eyes, even as you cheer the boys on.

Besides the general themes I just listed, the discussion questions over at the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site cover other aspects of the novel, such as learning new words and Kevin's methods of coping with his condition. The recipe for hot chocolate is the perfect winter accompaniment for a book club meeting and has a special meaning for Freak the Mighty.

Serafina's Promise by Anne E. Burg transports us to recent years in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Young Serafina has few opportunities because her family is poor and her family needs her help out, even if she is only eleven years old. But work doesn't stop the girl from dreaming, and Serafina's secret dream is to go to school and become a doctor.

When Serafina shares her wish with her papa, he tells her there is no money for a uniform or for books. But then he tells her that if her mama says it's okay and if she can earn all the needed money before the new term starts, then he will let her go to school. Serafina is determined.

Burg's Serafina's Promise is a special book in many ways. This is my first experience with a novel written in free verse, and I was surprised at how much I loved this format, and I bet your readers will love it too. By including French and Creole words in the text (don't worry, there's a glossary), Burg helps us relate to Serafina and her world. Finally, Burg makes it easy for readers to understand how Haiti's history combined with recent natural disasters have a direct impact on Serafina's life: her choices, her dreams, her family, her future, and even her friendships.

Book clubs will find plenty to talk about, including comparing and contrasting their own dreams and opportunities with Serafina's. The questions on the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site focus on family, education, and overcoming adversity. The suggested recipe is for strawberries and mint whipped cream, which remind us of one of the ways Serafina raised money for her schooling.

This post will be linked to Kid Konnection, hosted by Julie at Booking Mama.

Freak the Mighty: Scholastic / Blue Sky Press (20th-anniversary edition), 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545566452
Serafina's Promise: Scholastic Press, 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545535649
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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Sound Recommendations: An Eclectic Mix

This edition of Sound Recommendations is an eclectic mix of history, philosophy, and mystery. Two of the books were written for adults and one for middle grade readers. For my full audiobook reviews of these titles, check out the AudioFile magazine website.

Ali Smith is an author I should have at least heard of (she won the Whitbread Award, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and has appeared on best-of-the-year lists), but I was not familiar with her when I agreed to listen to her short book Artful, published early this year. Originally presented as four lectures at Oxford, Artful comes together as a single work. The story is told by an unnamed protagonist, who discusses an amazing range of topics, from Renaissance art to Oliver Twist, from ghosts to music, all the while finding the commonalities among them and tying them neatly into her grief over her recently dead lover. I was surprised by how much I loved this blend of fact and fiction, and Smith's narration is beautifully done. On the other hand, Artful is a book that makes you want to stop and think, to reread paragraphs, and to share with others; thus I suggest reading the print version first or having a copy in hand while you listen. [hardcover: Penguin Press, ISBN-13 9781594204869; audio: Highbridge, 4 hr, 6 min]

Did you know that in 1876 there was plot to steal Abraham Lincoln's body and ransom it to free an infamous counterfeiter from federal prison? I didn't either. Steve Sheinkin's Lincoln's Grave Robbers tells this exciting true story geared for middle grade readers. I was absolutely fascinated with this book and learned quite a bit about counterfeiting, the minting of money, the origins of the secret service, and more. This is one of those stranger-than-fiction stories with double agents, crossed communications, and helpful civilians. Never mind the intended audience for this book, I recommend it for everyone. Actor Will Patton does the narration with impressive skill, bringing just the right amount of drama to his performance. He has a great sense of pacing, amping up the tension and keeping the whole family engaged in the story. [hardcover: Scholastic Press, ISBN-13 9780545405720; audio: Scholastic Audio, 3 hr 16 min]

Sophie Littlefield's Garden of Stones opens in 1978, when Lucy Takeda, a survivor of the U.S. Japanese interment camp Manzanar, hears about a neighborhood murder. That event and her daughter's impending wedding, cause Lucy to remember her transformation from a carefree young teen to a guarded young woman to an eccentric, yet independent single mother. Littlefield exposes some of the worst aspects of the interment camps as well as the few options open to young Lucy when she has the opportunity to reenter the outside world. Garden of Stones is a genre bender, combing elements of mystery with historical fiction and family drama. Emily Woo Zeller's narration is particularly strong in its consistent, yet distinct characterizations. She brings a reserved emotion to her performance, which allows listeners to form their own opinions and conclusions about Lucy's past and present. [paperback: Harlequin MIRA, ISBN-13 9780778313526; audio: Tantor, 8 hr, 25 min]

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Scholastic Mother-Daughter Book Club Picks for October

Remember when I introduced you to the Scholastic Mother Daughter Book Club for middle readers? I'm committed to featuring or reviewing all the books selected for this club because I think Scholastic has picked winning titles that have broad appeal.

Don't forget that the Scholastic book club site includes more information about the books, recipes, reading guides, and contests. The resources are perfect for book clubs, teachers, homeschoolers, and any one who wants to get more out of reading books with middle grade readers.

Last year I reviewed Wendy Mass's 11 Birthdays, an early Scholastic book club pick, which is when I first met Amanda and Leo, birthday twins and (usually) best friends. In The Last Present, Mass gives us another time-bending tale involving the likable young teens.

In this adventure, Amanda and Leo must go back in time to help their town's oldest citizen correct a mistake she made years earlier. They soon realize their task isn't going to be all that easy. Not only do they have to be careful about not introducing any anachronisms when they are in the past but they also discover that someone may have been sabotaging the older woman.

Wendy Mass hasn't lost her touch when it comes to creating believable young characters. I love how she allowed Amanda and Leo to grow up and that their relationship is beginning to mature. Plus there are plenty of great themes to keep book club members engaged, such as becoming a teen, changing relationships between boys and girls, and the different phases of friendship. See the thoughtful discussion questions over at the Scholastic mother-daughter book club site for more ideas plus a yummy recipe for apple cinnamon bars.

Cathryn Constable's The Wolf Princess stars young Sophie, an orphan, who has always dreamed of having an exciting life in the cold north forests, just like in the stories her father used to tell. When she and her two best friends are given a chance to visit St. Petersburg, Sophie can hardly believe that her dreams may be coming true. After some travel mishaps put the girls in danger, they are rescued by a new friend. Anna tells them she's a real-life Russian princess, but her winter palace has an evil feel, and the wolves are howling in the woods.

The Wolf Princess is a fun adventure story with fantasy or fairy tale elements. Constable has created sympathetic characters with clear personalities and particularly shines when developing the setting. Her descriptions of the Russian winter will have you shivering from both the cold and the underlying unease the girls feel under Anna's care.

Book club members will likely talk about what the girls learn about friendship and discovering their individual strengths. The questions available on Scholastic mother-daughter book club site cover trust, travel, and specific events in the novel. The suggested recipe is for home-made raspberry jam, which is the perfect accompaniment for Russian tea.

This post will be linked to Kid Konnection, hosted by Julie at Booking Mama.

The Last Present: Scholastic / Scholastic Press, 2013; ISBN-13: 9780545310161
The Wolf Princess: Scholastic / Chicken House, 2013; ISBN-13:9780545528399
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

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